J&K students protest diktat on girls’ dress, inspection of bags
STUDENTS OF GOVERNMENT DEGREE COLLEGE, BARAMULLA, MET THE PRINCIPAL AND ALLEGED HARASSMENT AT THE HANDS OF ADMINISTRATION
SRINAGAR : A college in Kashmir has come under flak for its order with disciplinary measures for the students, which include dictating the length of dress for the girls, inspection of their bags’ content and the “manner” in which they sit on the campus.
The diktat and subsequent frisking of students by the administration of Government Degree College, Baramulla, triggered protests on Thursday. Students met the principal and alleged harassment at the hands of administration and demanded quashing of the orders, which were released on July 30.
The college has directed students – both boys and girls – to “necessarily wear” the prescribed uniform, which is white colour “full sleeves, below knee length” kameez for girls, and a formal hairstyle for boys.
“The boys have been strictly directed not to wear caps or chappals to college,” the directive pinned on the college’s notice board reads. The college has formed a ‘discipline committee’ and has started frisking students’ bags. “Girl students are directed not to carry any ‘irrelevant stuff’ in their bags, otherwise, the ‘objectionable stuff’ shall be seized by the female disciplinary squad after proper checking of bags,” it adds. The directive, which also focuses on how boys and girls should sit and speak inside the campus has elicited sharp reactions. “Unnecessary roaming/gathering, sitting on parapets in the corridors of the college buildings is strictly prohibited,” the order states, and adds: “The designated and specific place where girl students can take rest is botanical garden/girls’ garden and for the boys it is front lawn/canteen lawn. Boys and girls are strictly advised not to sit in an objectionable position,” it states.
‘TEACHERS COMMENTING ON OUR CHARACTER’
A first-year girl student said, “Teachers are unnecessarily harassing us. They have been checking our bags for phones. We can’t even wear shoes of our choice. Female teachers use rude language and even go on to talk about our character. This is not central jail, this is a college. We should have some freedom.”
‘STUDENTS DO NOTHING OBJECTIONABLE’
A teacher expressed anger at the directive. “Students do nothing objectionable on the campus. The only problem is with this discipline committee. They never bother about academics but raise objections when boys and girls sit or have tea together,” the teacher said requesting anonymity. “Students are feeling frustrated. There is constant frisking and moral policing and it amounts to abuse,” he said.
PRINCIPAL REFUTES ALLEGATIONS
College principal Fazal Rahim Beig refused allegations that the students are facing harassment.
“In a co-education institute, a watchful eye is very important. We have just reminded them of the college brochure where it is stated what code they should follow and what uniform they should wear,” Beig said, adding students have been using smart phones and hanging out together like listening to music. He said they have segregated them in classes by making boys sit on one side and girls on the other side to maintain discipline.
“I have also assured them that there will be no harassment, no suppression, no restraint; they are free but for discipline some restraints are important,” the principal added.